Chapter 13
Since receiving Deacon’s call, Julia couldn’t stop crying. The relief was so overwhelming that it needed a way out through the tears. The agony of hours spent fearing he might be gone forever would stay with her long after he was safely back on shore.
Katie tiptoed into the guest room, where Julia was attempting to sleep with Pupwell curled up beside her.
He raised his head when he sensed Katie coming, but seeing it was her, he relaxed again.
“Are you okay?” Katie asked.
“I’m trying to be, but I can’t stop the damned tears.”
“That’s understandable. He had a very close call.”
“It’s unbearable to realize he was in so much danger for hours.”
He’d explained how the boat had been swamped by a massive wave that swept away his handheld radio and cell phone, and shorted out every other piece of electronic equipment, including the ship-to-shore radio and bilge pump.
Then the boat had rolled over, leaving him adrift on top of it until Joe had thankfully spotted him bobbing in the violent seas.
From what he’d said, the rescue had been a heroic operation that could’ve gone either way.
“I can’t stop shaking over how easily I could’ve lost him.”
Katie got in bed with her and put her arms around Julia. “Hang on to me until you can hang on to him.”
“Thank you for being there for me.”
“Always. You would’ve done the same for me.”
“I hope I never have to.”
“You were right by my side when I lost the baby. That’s just how it goes for us Lawrys. We stick together in good times and bad.”
“There’s been a lot more good than bad lately. I’ve gotten used to it.”
“I know,” Katie said with a laugh. “Everything is so good that when it isn’t, it sends us spiraling into the past.”
“I hate that for all of us.”
“I do, too, but that’s just how it goes.”
“Loving someone like I love Deacon… It’s terrifying.”
“Most of the time, it’s wonderful. Stay focused on the good and don’t dwell in the darkness. You know who wins when we do that.”
“Yeah, I do know.” They’d never give their father that kind of easy victory. “And we can’t let that happen.”
“No, we can’t. So you stay focused on the positive and let go of the negative now that you know he’s safe.”
“He’s still on a boat in a hurricane.”
“But he’s not alone, and he’s on a much bigger boat than he was, with a highly skilled captain at the helm. He’ll be fine.”
“I can’t wait to see him.”
“I bet he can’t wait to see you, too.”
As the ferry bobbed in the stormy seas, Deacon stretched out on one of the benches and tried to relax after changing into dry clothes loaned to him by the other guys.
He’d drawn the line on underwear, choosing to go commando under the sweats that Colin had given him.
They’d insisted on sharing their food and water with him, too, which had been a welcome relief after drinking rainwater to stay hydrated during his ordeal.
All he’d thought about after the boat rolled over and cast him adrift was Julia and how upset she must be to not be able to reach him.
Hearing her voice on the other end of the phone had been a huge relief.
Just as he’d suspected, she’d been frantic with worry, and he hated having done that to her, Blaine, his parents, family and friends.
Fearing you might die made you think about all sorts of stuff, especially the things you hadn’t done yet—like marry the love of your life and have lots of babies with her.
He’d be rectifying that as soon as he possibly could.
Until then, he was content to close his eyes and think of her and the love of this and all other lifetimes he’d found with her.
She was everything to him, and all he needed for the rest of his life was more of everything with her.
Colin came down the stairs to check on Deacon. “You doing all right?”
“I’m fine, thanks.”
“The cap says we should be out of the worst of it within an hour.”
“Sounds good.” Thankfully, rough seas had never bothered Deacon, until he’d thought he might die in them. “Do we still have cell service out here?”
“Amazingly, we do.”
“Could I borrow your phone for a minute?”
“Sure.” Colin handed it over. “Heard you’ve got a fiancée back on the hard,” he said, using the nautical term for land.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll let you talk to your lady. Take your time. We’re able to charge on board.”
“Thanks, Colin. For everything. You guys saved my life.”
“We’re glad it worked out.”
After Colin went back upstairs, Deacon called Julia again. She answered on the first ring, sounding uncertain and congested, probably from crying.
“Hey, baby, it’s me again.”
“Deacon…”
“I’ll let you guys talk,” he heard Katie say in the background.
“I’m glad you’re with Katie and Shane.”
“They insisted on bringing me home and keeping me sane.”
“Did you eat something?” He knew how hard it was for her to eat during times of stress and had spent quite a lot of time worrying about that while fought to stay alive in monster seas.
“I had some soup and part of a grilled cheese that Shane made for me.”
“Good.”
“Deacon…”
“What, honey?”
“I thought I knew how much I loved you, but I found out today it’s way more than I thought.”
“You were all I could think about out there. I just wanted to get home to you and our furry little boy.”
“You’re safe on the ferry, right?” she asked, sounding tearful and exhausted.
“Absolutely. Joe says we’re about an hour from smoother seas.”
“I feel sick just thinking about how rough it must be.”
“You wouldn’t like it.”
“Blaine called and your mom. Everyone was so sweet to me today.”
“I’m glad you were well supported. I’m so sorry I put you through such an ordeal.”
“I’d say it was okay, but…”
Deacon laughed softly. “I’ll try to never do that again.”
“Yes, please.”
“My sweet, sweet Julia. I love you more than life.”
“I love you more than that.”
“No way.”
“Way!”
Chuckling, he said, “How’s our little boy?”
“He’s worried about Daddy, but he feels better now that he knows you’re safe.”
“Tell me the truth. Is he snoring?”
“So loud. I’m surprised you can’t hear him.”
Deacon laughed hard. “I knew it.”
“He was great today. He knew something was wrong and never left my side. I had to go out with him to the yard, or he wouldn’t have peed.”
“That’s my boy, taking good care of Mommy when I’m not there.”
“We can’t wait to see you and hug you and kiss you.”
“Same, love. I can’t wait.”
“I hope you can come home soon.”
“Probably be at least another day, depending on what the storm does.”
“I can hold it together for that long, I suppose. Did you talk to Blaine?”
“Not yet. I’ll call him after this.”
“You should go do that. He was eager to speak to you.”
“And I’m eager to speak with you, in addition to some other things.”
“Like what?” she asked softly.
“I can’t wait to hold you and taste you and breathe you in and make love to you and have everything with you. Why are we waiting to get married? That was all I could think about out there when I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again. Why haven’t I married you?”
“Deacon…”
“Let’s do that soon, okay?”
“Okay.”
He could hear the tears in that single word. “Don’t cry, baby. Everything’s all right, and we’re going to have it all. I promise.”
“As long as I have you, I have it all.”
“I wish I was there with you and Pupwell.”
“We wish that, too.”
“You’re going to stay with Katie and Shane during the storm?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I don’t want you to be alone.”
“We’re not alone, but we’re lonely for you.”
He groaned. “I’d give anything to be there with you guys. Soon enough.”
“You should call Blaine.”
“Yeah,” he said but made no move to end the connection to her. “Did I mention that I love you?”
“A few times, but I never get tired of hearing that.”
“I never get tired of saying it or feeling it or living it.”
“I hope you never do.”
“I won’t. You’re really going to marry me?”
“I really am. As soon as I can.”
“I can’t wait for that, for everything.”
“Me, too. Now go call your brother.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Not even kinda.”
He laughed at the emphatic way she said that. “I’ll call you again in the morning.”
“I’ll look forward to that. Will you be able to get some sleep?”
“I think so. I’m exhausted.”
“Close your eyes and dream of me.”
“I don’t have to close my eyes to dream of you.”
“Near-death Deacon is very romantic.”
“Near-death Deacon had a lot of hours to think out there, and it all just kept coming back to you.” He heard her yawn. “Go get some rest, baby. I’ll see you soon.”
“Hurry home.”
“Will do.” Deacon reluctantly ended the call when he’d much rather listen to her breathe all night long. Then he dialed Blaine’s number, which he’d memorized when they started working together.
“Taylor.”
“Hey, it’s me.”
“Jesus, Deacon. Way to take five years off my life.”
“Sorry about that.”
“What the hell happened?”
“A huge wave swamped the boat, swept my handheld and cell phone over the side and shorted out the rest of the electronics. Another wave flipped the boat over, but I was able to stay with it, and that’s how Joe found me.”
“Thank God he spotted you and that you’re all right.”
“Sorry about the boat.”
“That’s what insurance is for.”
“Have you seen Julia?”
“I was with her earlier. You’d have been proud of her. She was upset, but held up admirably.”
“We’re getting married as soon as we possibly can.”
“That’s great. I’m happy for you guys.”
“You’ll be my best man, right?”
“I’d love to.”
Once upon a time, not that long ago, his older brother would’ve been the last person Deacon would’ve asked to stand up for him. Now, he couldn’t imagine asking anyone else. “She’s at Shane and Katie’s. Check on her for me, will you?”
“Yeah, brother. I will.”
As he drove the outer perimeter of the island, Blaine ended the call with Deacon and returned his full focus to navigating the road, with the wind and rain rocking the SUV and making it difficult to see anything.